AID After returning from the mission to Rome, prosecutors Fatos Dervishi and Arben Qeleshi speak. “We have uncovered new evidence. The case file is now richer” “The government thanked Levant Co.” Relations between the Bari-based company and the Albanian authorities of the time: “It was the government of Fatos Nano that asked it to deliver the aid, and even to continue this work” EDMOND LACI TIRANA — “Levant Co. was not only repeatedly summoned by the Albanian authorities of that period, but was also repeatedly asked to deliver the aid granted to Albania by the Italian Government.” This is just one of the many findings made in Italy by the mission of Albanian prosecutors Fatos Dervishi, head of the investigative group, and Arben Qeleshi, prosecutor in Tirana. After 10 days of intensive investigations, they are now returning to their offices in Albania. “Regardless of whom the facts uncovered support—the prosecution or the defendants—the main thing for us is to conduct a full investigation,” Dervishi explains to the Gazette. “These actions might not even have been carried out, but thanks to the special authorization granted to us, we achieved our goal.” The rogatory commission, which was to complete the international letter rogatory sent by the Albanian side for investigative actions in Rome in connection with the criminal case opened by the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office over the ‘aid scandal’, was made possible after it was first approved by Corso, the Italian Minister of Justice, who assigned the task to the Court of Appeal in Rome. “Through Doctor Giovanni Carlini, the delegated counsellor,” says Qeleshi, “we were able to carry out our investigative actions.” The Albanian prosecutors were able to question five important people in Rome: De Michelis (former Foreign Minister), Cardilli (former Italian Ambassador to Albania), Perniola (administrator of Levant Co.), Di Molo and Altamura (former officials of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs). “The questioning of De Michelis caused a great stir in Italy,” Fatos Dervishi reports, “because it was the first time a rogatory commission had questioned a foreign minister.” For the Albanian prosecutors, this was the first time they had carried out an investigative action outside their country. “This practice,” says Qeleshi, “is necessary on other occasions too. With this action, investigations in Europe are becoming a reality even for matters that were previously considered taboo in Albania.” But for the Albanian mission in Rome, uncovering new facts was also its main task. “From the explanations given by the people questioned, as well as the documents presented to us,” Dervishi continues, “it was confirmed that Levant Co. was not only called upon and asked to continue delivering the aid, but was even thanked by the Albanian authorities of that time.” The Albanian prosecutors also clarify something else concerning Levant Co.: the Bari-based company has owed money to Albania for some time. “These debts,” Qeleshi explains, “are being pursued by Evelina Canale, who is continuing the investigation into the aid scandal, but with regard to the Italian parties responsible.” Thus, the case file on the Italian aid scandal—in which socialist leader Nano is also a defendant—is being further expanded. “Contact with the Italian judicial authorities,” Dervishi says, “is necessary not only because it was a task assigned by the Court, but also to build the case as fully as possible and with new evidence.” Now that they have returned, the statement “the tasks have been completed” indicates that the aid scandal is moving toward the clarification of new facts and the true identification of those responsible. Meanwhile, the Italian authorities are also working intensively on the case. Prosecutor Canale’s arrival in Albania is not merely a return visit. The Italian Parliament, too, according to the prosecutors on the Rome mission, has now appointed a special commission to verify the aid provided by Italy and the European Community to developing countries, which of course include Albania. Prosecutor Canale arrives in Tirana Prosecutors Qeleshi and Dervishi await Italian judge Evelina Canale at Tirana airport (photo A. Babani) TIRANA - (p.re.) — Prosecutor Evelina Canale’s investigation into the aid scandal has also begun in Albania. On Monday morning, the judge arrived at Rinas airport, where she was met by Tirana Prosecutor Arben Qeleshi and head of the Investigative Group Fatos Dervishi—the same people she had met in Rome the previous week. Escorted by three police cars, Evelina Canale arrived in Tirana, where highly secure accommodation has been arranged for her in the capital’s former “bllok” district. She began work on Tuesday at the offices of the Tirana General Prosecutor’s Office. When announcing her mission, Evelina Canale had told the Gazette Shqiptare that she wanted to question, among others, the officials of “Albkontroll” in Durrës, who in 1991 had been assigned to supervise the aid arriving from Italy. That aid, as is known, arrived in smaller quantities than declared and at higher prices. In Italy, investigations are being conducted into former Foreign Minister Gianni de Michelis, numerous officials of the same ministry, and Giuseppe Perniola, head of Bari’s “Levant Co.”, which supplied the goods that cost the Italian Government several tens of billions of dollars. And precisely to verify Perniola’s role, prosecutor Canale would be interested in questioning Arben Alia, son of former president Ramiz Alia. The fax sent by “Levant.Co”, in which the president’s son was asked to reconfirm the company in its role as aid supplier, had been addressed to “Benedita”. There is just one major difficulty: Arben Alia no longer lives in Albania. officials of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “De Michelis’s questioning caused a great stir in Italy,” says Fatos Dervishi, “because it was the first time that a Rogatory Commission had questioned a foreign minister.” According to the prosecutors of the Roman mission—it has Italy and the European Community to developing countries, among which Albania is naturally included. “So that they can get its work under way in the offices of the General Prosecutor’s Office in Tirana. While announcing its mission, Evelina Canale ... ... super-protected in the former ‘block’ of the capital. announcing its mission, Evelina Canale ... ... that was declared, and at astonishing prices. Regarding the selection of the hotel in Italy, former Foreign Minister Gianni de Mi... ... aid, which, as it turned out, arrived in smaller quantities than hotel in Italy, former Foreign Minister Gianni de Mi... ... aid. It has only a volume of ... ... repeatedly and as an attempt The Socialist opposition wing in Parliament has described these claims as not scientifically grounded and as an attempt ... ... Parliament, it seems that the anniversary of Liberation Day will remain a topic of discussion for a long time yet. According to a law, it cannot be enough to resolve the doubts of history.

It will be celebrated on 28 November ANDREA STEFANI TIRANA — After 49 years since liberation from Nazi-Fascist oppression, deputies are discussing the date on which to commemorate this historic event. Numerous discussions and debates over a date from the distant past—whose intensity brings to mind the actual liberation war fought long ago—arguments and counterarguments, and finally a decision by Parliament, passed by a majority vote, declaring 28 November 1944 to be the date of Albania’s liberation. In four days’ time, it will be celebrated once again. During the years of the communist regime, Albanians celebrated 29 November as Liberation Day, the day on which it was believed that the last occupied city, Shkodra, had been liberated. Just one year ago—during Parliament’s discussion of the bill on public holidays and leave—deputies from the ruling Democratic Party raised doubts about the historical accuracy of this date. It is claimed that the actual day of liberation was 28 November and that former dictator Hoxha had postponed the date of liberation by one day. The purpose was supposedly purely political: to fulfill a wish of Tito—at the time the leader of Yugoslavia and an ally of Hoxha—for the two countries to have joint celebrations, since Yugoslavia’s Liberation Day was 29 November. The socialist opposition in Parliament has described these claims as scientifically unfounded and as an attempt to embellish the merits of the National Liberation War. While the debate in Parliament ended without a vote, the most extensive discussions of the subject took place outside it. A number of historians, war veterans and politicians tried, in various writings, to argue for the historical authenticity of the 29th. Evidence cited included recollections of battles fought on that date on Albanian soil, documents from partisan headquarters at various levels ordering a move to attack, and even German documents concerning the withdrawal from the city of Shkodra. The opponents of this thesis—also historians, politicians and former members of partisan formations—have written and published almost identical kinds of facts and documents in support of the 28th. In the midst of this conflict, the idea of a consensus also emerged: that 17 November, the day the Albanian capital was liberated, should be declared the symbolic day of the country’s liberation. But apparently, being about two weeks away from the historical truth was a little too much to accept in a heated debate in which rivals would not tolerate even a few hours’ difference. In the end, material prepared by a group of specialists established within the Institute of History presented Parliament with arguments in favor of 28 November 1944. But despite Parliament’s decision, Liberation Day seems likely to remain a subject of debate for a long time yet. A law cannot be enough to resolve historical doubts.

WORK ON THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN ALBANIA CONTINUES IN TIRANA — The International Conference on Foreign Investment in Albania is continuing its work in Tirana. This conference—the first of its kind—is attended by representatives of more than 150 commercial companies from around 25 different countries. The sectors and fields in which investment can be made in Albania will be at the center of the discussions. President Berisha, under whose patronage the conference was organized, highlighted on its opening day the opportunities and incentives Albania now offers, following the approval of amendments to the Law on Foreign Investments. THE FLOUR MILL IN SARANDË HAS NOT YET STARTED OPERATING — The flour mill in the Sarandë district has not yet begun work. This mill, which also supplies Delvinë and the surrounding villages, was badly damaged a few days ago by a powerful cyclone that hit the city. The grain warehouse, which collapsed in the cyclone, has been completely destroyed, putting large quantities of wheat and flour at risk. The mill—the only one in the Sarandë area—was built with machinery after liberation and has inherited equipment based on very outdated technology. PRESIDENT AWARDS MEDALS TO FIVE VETERAN ATHLETES FROM SHKODRA — The “Torch of Democracy” medal has been awarded to five female athletes from Shkodra who were persecuted by the communist regime. The medal was awarded to the athletes by President of the Republic Sali Berisha. The ceremony also included remarks about their lives and sporting careers.

“The style must be respected” TIRANA — (e.l.) The construction of places of worship in Albania has created problems. But the issue is no longer their number, only their quality. A new project by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports has asked the Government to require religious associations to obtain a building permit from the Ministry before constructing any further such buildings, submitting their plans in advance. “Many mosques and other religious buildings are being constructed all over Albania,” Guri Pano, an inspector at the Directorate of Culture, tells the Gazette, “but styles and architectural forms that have never existed in our religious tradition are being used.” According to specialists, many of today’s religious buildings are being constructed very quickly—the communist regime almost completely destroyed this heritage—but this is affecting the distinctiveness of Albanian religious style. “The lack of places of worship during the period of religious faith in Albania,” religious representatives explain, “has created a need to build them quickly.” Thus, the Autocephalous Orthodox Church has built prefabricated structures within just a few days, such as the place of worship in Fier.

A Russian commission will investigate the crashed airplane A day of mourning in Kosovo ON PAGE 2 Advice on preventing AIDS Risk from the virus even when crying? ON PAGE 3 A Russian commission will investigate the crashed airplane — A day of mourning in Kosovo

After two years TIRANA — Two more valuable cultural works are returning from abroad. The iconostasis of the Church of Vithkuq and the iconostasis of the Cathedral of Elbasan, according to the official Press Agency, arrived from Italy in recent days. Both works had been given, under a contract, to an Italian collector who was to exhibit them in a private gallery. Under the contract, both iconostases were to be restored. Although the Italian collector did not comply with all the terms of the contract, a decision by the Tirana Court terminated it before its expiry.

He will speak on the subject “The Literature of Power” From our editorial team BARI — Ismail Kadare will speak today in Bari on the very delicate subject “The Literature of Power,” as part of a literary initiative. The conference is undoubtedly an important one, given the writer’s great fame (he is one of the most likely candidates for the Nobel Prize) and his very rich personal experience, which led him three years ago to seek political asylum in France. His decision, made under the government of Ramiz Alia, was marked by the confusion caused by the impossibility of transforming the regime from within. And it caused astonishment and a stir. Astonishment in Albania, especially among those who believed—those in power—that they had “coddled” him greatly and who therefore saw his life as a violation of Besa. A stir in the West, because this was happening precisely when Albania was opening up to the world at breakneck speed and needed an intellectual with authority (perhaps he was its greatest representative). Like Czeslaw Milosz in Poland and Havel, in that same year, a leader of the hardline. The comparison with Havel may not be fair (and Kadare does not like it: “Havel’s activities have complicated my life,” he says). Is it perhaps a writer’s duty to challenge power, or even to take the reins of a state? These changes had previously been discussed with ... Writer Kadare

The restructuring work cost 280 thousand lekë TIRANA — (Ar.Me.) — 280 thousand lekë were spent to remove the last symbols of communism in Tirana. The large star on the main façade of the National Museum—the last trace of a connected past—no longer exists. For nearly 30 years, the museum’s large mosaic remained covered by a cloth suspended from a tall iron frame. The star at its center was not the only figure to be altered. Along with it, the star on the national flag was removed, as was another red star held in the hand of a worker, who now holds the lapel of a jacket across his chest. These modifications had previously been reviewed with the artists who created the work, and one of them was the very person who also worked on its restructuring. “It was not easy, though,” Myslim Islami, Director of the National Museum, tells Gazeta. “The mosaic is a work of very large dimensions, and the changes had to be made in a way that would harmonize with the entire structure.” These nine changes constitute only the first phase of the mosaic’s restructuring. “There is the possibility of a second phase,” Islami explains, “in which the arrangement will be reviewed to establish the proper proportions among the figures representing the different historical periods.”

YESTERDAY IN ALBANIA A new project by the Ministry of Culture INSIDE After two years